The clearances told a story;Port had the edge 20-13 in the first half whereas Richmond had the ascendancy after half-time,28-9.
The low-scoring arm wrestle had everything - a report against Pete Ladhams for a jab to the outstanding Noah Balta's stomach,crunching tackles and a steadfast refusal to concede.
Port's ascendancy at the contest and in the territory was eventually dragged in and overhauled by the Tigers,who at one stage kept the hosts scoreless for 32 minutes.
Dustin Martin slotted the opening goal,a magnificent evading and snapping effort,before Port hit back through the finishing of Connor Rozee and stirling playmaking of Robbie Gray.
In the second stanza Martin was too strong for Darcy Byrne-Jones in a one-on-one,marking and goaling to level the scores.
The champion Tigers kept grinding away before finally keeping the challengers at bay thanks to the proficient Lambert.
GROWING PAINS
Port fans held their breath when Xavier Duursma copped a solid bump from Riewoldt,a fortnight after the Power youngster was concussed by Mark Blicavs in the qualifying final.
Duursma shook off Riewoldt's hit to generate plenty of forward drive for Port,producing a swag of inside-50s and goaling moments before the quarter-time siren to give the Power the slender edge.
Yes,it's true:Tom Lynch,Dylan Grimes and Jayden Short.Credit:Getty Images
But Duursma had a moment in the second term that he would want back when,spotted up cleverly by Rozee,he spilled a sitter of a mark in attack at a time Port had dried up and desperately need any score.
Rozee,last year's rookie sensation whose second season has been somewhat less spectacular,loomed as the game-breaker when he bagged two first-half goals - equalling his best haul of 2020.
The pair - and Port - will assuredly be back bigger and better in 2021.
JACK HELD IN ATTACK
Tom Hawkins'errant kicking ensured a clean sheet for Trent McKenzie a fortnight ago but this time the Port defender's resoluteness made life hard for long-time Power bogyman Riewoldt.
Riewoldt slotted an early goal thanks to a free against Tom Jonas but otherwise had his colours lowered by McKenzie,in an admittedly tough,drizzly night for the big forwards.
The Richmond talisman was held to just six kicks.
But he won't mind at all.
He has bigger fish to fry next Saturday at the Gabba.
Port Adelaide 2.3 3.3 4.46.4 (40)
Richmond 2.1 3.3 4.66.10 (46)
GOALS:Richmond: Martin 2,Lambert 2,Lynch,Riewoldt.Port Adelaide: Rozee 2,Duursma,Dixon,Lycett,Ladhams
BEST:Richmond - Martin,Balta,Prestia,Nankervis,Graham,McIntosh.Port - Wines,Boak,Duursma,Rozee,Ebert,Houston